Once you get through the first couple of missions, you will have a few very basic powers. You learn more powers as you play through the game, typically one Power each time you re-establish the circuit on a transformer during one of the sewer missions. Most Powers can be viewed by bringing up the game menu () and selecting Powers.

These are the Powers that show on your Powers menu. Some powers and their upgrades are influenced by your Karma; others are neutral. There are three ranks of Karma for both Good and Evil:

Good Karma: Guardian, Champion, Hero

Evil Karma: Thug, Outlaw, Infamous

To purchase upgrades for most powers, you will need to spend experience points (XP). The powers are listed below in the order they appear in the Powers Menu from left to right. Powers are either available from the beginning of the main game (i.e. after you have completed all the mandatory opening missions); or, they are learned after restoring X number of power transformers.

Cole's basic attack is a bolt of lightning from his fingertips. This attack uses no energy (unlimited ammo) and is very effective. Hold to enter aiming mode and then press to fire. Good characters, especially, will love Lightning Bolt and you can recharge yourself at Hero level just by shooting bad guys.

Good upgrades

Guardian (400 XP): Righteous Blow — Restores a moderate amount of energy each time you successfully hit an enemy.

The Shockwave is a basic method of crowd control and object manipulation. To use Shockwave, hold to enter aiming mode and then press . Each Shockwave uses energy. Shockwaves pulse out and physically push or throw objects away from Cole. Used against vehicles, it can move cars and other obstacles from your path. Used against people, it can temporarily (or permanently) incapacitate others.

Good upgrades

Guardian (800 XP): Reverse Magnetism — People caught in the core of the blast temporarily float in the air.

Champion (1,800 XP): Increases blast force.

Hero (2,800 XP): Increases blast range.

Evil upgrades

Thug (800 XP): People or objects caught in the core of the blast are electrified.

Overload Burst is a highly charged beam of energy that chains off conductive surfaces and can strike enemies using metal objects (such as cars or heating ducts) for cover. To use the power, hold to enter aiming mode and then press and hold . A second aiming reticule appears. Wait until the two reticules are aligned and then release to fire the burst. Overload Burst is only available to players with positive Karma and you must complete a certain number of Good side missions for each level of the power.

Upgrades

Guardian (5 Good side missions): You must purchase this level to use the power.

Releases a continuous stream of lightning. To use this power, hold to enter aiming mode and then hold as long as you want to stream the lightning. Arc Lightning uses energy and is only available to players with negative Karma. You must complete a certain number of Evil side missions for each level of the power.

Upgrades

Thug (5 Evil side missions): You must purchase this level to use the power.

Just as the name implies, Cole throws a grenade made of electricity. The grenade does take a few seconds to detonate and enemies will run from it; however, if your aim is good, you can stick a grenade to an opponent or object (such as a vehicle). Grenades use energy. To throw a grenade, hold to enter aiming mode and press . To throw your grenades farther, aim higher up to lob them at your enemies.

Cole causes an explosion when he hits the ground. To use Thunder Drop, just jump from a high object and press on the way down. This is a neutral power, and a very good one. Shooting at enemies from above and luring them under you is an effective tactic. You can also use Thunder Drop to help take out turrets and turret trucks.

Level 1 (800 XP): Increases blast range.

Level 2 (1,300 XP): People and objects in the epicenter of the blast get electrified.

This is a neutral power that is always active. Each level purchased decreases damage done to Cole. These are good upgrades to purchase, especially in Medium or Hard difficulty as you will take a lot of shots.

This is a neutral power that is always active. Each level purchased increases the rate at which Cole drains energy from objects (thus restoring his energy and health). Probably a good purchase especially at Hard difficulty; you'll have less time to heal up when constantly under fire.

Polarity Wall is a shield that blocks bullets and grenades. It requires no energy and can be used while running, gliding, grinding, etc. The only time you can't hold the Wall up is when you're in aiming mode. You also can't climb while holding the Wall, though you can hold it while clinging to a climbing surface. To hold the wall, hold . There are two levels of upgrades to Polarity Wall.

This is a touch-based power gained after the first transformer. To heal a pedestrian, stand next to the person, press and hold to lock on, then press and hold until you administer shock therapy. There are no upgrades for this power. Using Pulse Heal earns positive Karma points and some XP.

This is a touch-based power gained after the first transformer. You can leech energy and health from downed opponents or pedestrians. To leech energy, stand next to the person, press and hold to lock on, then rapidly tap to fight the person for their energy. There are no upgrades for this power. Using Bio Leech earns negative Karma points.

This is a touch-based power gained after the first transformer. You can restrain downed opponents or pedestrians. To restrain someone, stand next to the person, press and hold to lock on, then press . There are no upgrades for this power. Using Arc Restraint is a neutral action, though it is sometimes required to complete certain missions. Restraining live enemies earns additional XP.

This is an enhancement to your Lightning Bolt gained after the fourth power transformer is online. Precision mode allows you to slow down time and zoom in on distant opponents. Precision mode slowly drains your energy and shots taken using Precision mode use energy, so make sure your aim is good. To use Precision, press and hold and then press to fire. There are no upgrades to this power.

Lightning Storm is a serious incarnation of Cole's powers. Press and hold to unleash the Storm and tilt the controller left and right to steer it. Requires energy – and lots of it. Lightning Storm only works outside, so no using it in the sewer mission where you learn it. Or on things underneath the train tracks.

Available: From the beginning of the game if you have a pre-order code

Gigawatt Blades are a neutral melee upgrade only available as add-on content from the the PlayStation Store. The Blades are a pre-order bonus given by some retailers and not (currently) available to all players. Gigawatt Blades are, essentially, one-hit kills when activated; however, activating them requires energy. To activate the Blades, press . The blades last for a limited time. You must purchase at least Level 1 Blades to use them at all.

You learn this ability after re-energizing the third transformer. You'll then be able to quickly traverse any wires or train rails in lit-up areas of town. When riding the rails, remember the trains on the inner tracks run clockwise and the trains on the outer tracks run counter-clockwise; so, grind in the same direction as the trains. Also, the Level 2 Electric Drain Power allows you to recharge yourself as you grind wires or rails.

This is a "flying" ability learned after the fifth transformer (first in the Warren) is re-energized. While in the air, press and hold to glide slowly downward. You can use this Power to more quickly traverse the rooftops of the city as you will be able to cover some of the larger gaps between buildings where no wire is available. Using Static Thrusters consumes no energy.

When gliding, you have limited lateral movement. You cannot turn around and glide back the way you came. Static Thrusters are mainly useful for covering wide gaps.

To use this Power, you must purchase the Level 3 upgrade of Energy Drain and have a full Karma meter (Good or Evil). With a full Karma meter, press and you'll have unlimited energy for a short time. When the timer runs out, you also will have lost some Karma points and will have to earn them again to use the ability again.